марта 18, 2014 | Asia Pacific: Nippon (Japan)

Running Unified for a "truly enjoyable 42.195km"

By Sayaka Sonobe

Kosuke Ide (right) together with his running partner Junya Nishi, at the Osaka Marathon in October 2013.

Special Olympics Nippon athlete Kosuke Ide completed his second marathon in Osaka last year, thanks to consistent training and support from his local running club.View Story ▼Special Olympics Nippon athlete Kosuke Ide completed his second marathon in Osaka last year, thanks to consistent training and support from his local running club. Each athlete is paired with a partner, ensuring the athlete's condition and running pace is monitored during the run. Kosuke’s partner is Mr. Junya Nishi, a Special Olympics Nippon volunteer. Mr. Nishi’s biggest motivation is seeing an athlete’s growth in sport, unleashing his capabilities. Despite his busy work schedule, Mr. Nishi made time to train with Kosuke, for both athlete and partner to get used to each other. On Kosuke’s performance, Mr. Nishi was thrilled: “We ran toward the goal with Kosuke. We were teammates. It was a truly enjoyable 42.195km.” As for Kosuke, he wants to attempt another race in 2014.

About Sayaka Sonobe:Staff of Special Olympics Nippon.

марта 18, 2014 | Asia Pacific: Bangladesh

First Unified Sports Fest for Special Olympics Bangladesh

By Karyn Tan

Special Olympics Bangladesh held its first Unified Sports Festival in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Over 100 Special Olympics Bangladesh athletes and Partners competed in Football and Cricket over the two days.View Story ▼With the support of the Kim Samuel Sports Grant, Special Olympics Bangladesh held its first Unified Sports Festival from 16 to 17 August 2013 at Gulshan Youth Club Grounds, in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Over 100 Special Olympics Bangladesh athletes and Partners competed in Football and Cricket over the two days. The Bangladesh Cricket Board and Bangladesh Football Federation also assisted by sending referees and umpires to officiate at the festival.
According to Special Olympics Bangladesh National Director, Faruqul Islam, “We’re pleased to work towards an inclusive community with our first Unified Sports event. It is the start of more opportunities to come, to show equality lies on and off the playing field.”

About Donna de Varona:I am on the Special Olympics International Board of Directors.

марта 18, 2014 |

Unified in One Goal

By Karyn Tan

Special Olympics Global Ambassadors Dikembe Mutombo and Sam Perkins traded their basketballs for hockey sticks today at the Unified Sports® Floor Hockey Experience at Kwondong University in Gangneung, Korea.View Story ▼Special Olympics Global Ambassadors Dikembe Mutombo and Sam Perkins traded their basketballs for hockey sticks today at the Unified Sports® Floor Hockey Experience at Kwondong University in Gangneung, Korea.
For the pair, the actions may differ from their usual dribbles and freethrows, but the teamwork and camaraderie on the floor hockey court remains the same, as Special Olympics athletes and partners passed and shot goals with great intensity.
Mutombo was thrilled with the matches, playing with athletes from Korea, China, India, Venezuela and Argentina. “It was my first time seeing this game, it was new to me, I was a bit tired, and then I got used to it. I have a first cousin with a learning disability, so it’s a great honor to be here.”
“This was like an all-star game but there are Special Olympics Unified Sports everywhere. Wherever we play, it is with one purpose and one goal, to come together.”

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Young people from around the globe with and without intellectual disabilities are coming together at the SOGenUin Summit as part of the 2015 Special Olympics World Summer Games with one goal - to change the world.